Renteria, Phillips at complex

Good morning from Goodyear and it’s the first gray day I can remember having here so far. A whole bunch of rain is supposed to move through Saturday I’m hearing. Yes, it does rain out here from time to time.

A few notes —

*Edgar Renteria arrived to camp today and talked to reporters. Dusty Baker said he would keep him at shortstop for the early part of spring before even thinking about moving him around.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him play second base,” Baker said. “It’s a totally different thing when you have to have your back to the guy coming in vs. all those years you could see him coming.”

Renteria said he took a lot of grounders at second base last season to get prepared. He has never really played anywhere but shortstop though. Renteria is also prepared to back up Paul Janish at shortstop.

“You guys know my position is shortstop but I will play whatever the skipper wants me to play,” Renteria said.

*Brandon Phillips also arrived today and I think he shook hands and/or hugged everybody in the room he saw — whether he knew them or not. I later spoke to him for a couple of minutes and we patched up some things that were between us from last year. I am glad to know we’re moving forward. I’m not sure if you noticed or not, but he was not freuqently quoted on MLB.com most of last season.

*Incidentally — when Renteria does appear at shortstop this season, he will be the 19th different one Phillips has been paired with since he arrived in 2006. Here is the list of the other 18, courtesy of Rob Butcher:

*I did an interview with Yonder Alonso today and will have a story on him later. He’s working every day in left field and right field with coach Billy Hatcher. Hatcher has been pleased with both the progress and Alonso’s work ethic.

*From my personal count — only Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, Jonny Gomes and Miguel Cairo are not here yet. The report day for the full squad is Saturday. I’m sure all will be present and accounted for.

*Also — a note from Cardinals camp: Jim Edmonds announced his retirement today before reporting. Edmonds was hobbling badly on his Achilles tendon at the end of last season with the Reds.

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